Bad experience as Paramedic intern

Nurses Men

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This is a true story. Period. I am not making any of this up. It is a sad story for the medical field in general. Not being a nurse, but loving newborn infants is a very tough situation for a male nursing student. I have 2 questions I want answered. 1) Why is it so difficult for men to be "baby nurses"? Really, it is. 2) Why as a paramedic student was I flat out lied to about deliveries? I mean, this is true, I was in OB rotation and looking forward to my first births when the charge nurse for the unit told me "this mother does not want students". OK. No problem. That is her right. The problem is this: I was in the elevator with a guy who seemed very happy to be a new father. We struck up conversation based on the fact that I was a paramedic student and in the OB portion of school. He has been a firefighter/paramedic for 22 years. His wife- the pt who requested no students- was also a paramedic for 11 years. He told me to watch his childs birth for school, etc,etc. This was the SAME couple that the nurse told me did not want students to watch. I guess I caught her in a lie? I did not see the birth based on sexual discrimination. Obvioulsly. I let him know, as well. The hospital had "no response" other than to say that staff members are often overworked and make mistakes.

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I wonder if she perhaps sensed what seems to be your unprofessional attitude and was protecting her patients. Could the mother have been asked in a bad moment, or not understood who was seeking permission to observe?

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No, the end comment was just a frustration, not serious. Anyhow, good question, and the mother was NOT made aware of any students by anyone. Ever. And she was as unhappy as I was when her husband told her the story. They were both unhappy about it, actually. Especially the fact that I was told they did not want a student when they were never asked if they did.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'll answer question # 1.....

I am a "baby nurse", as I work in a level III neonatal ICU. While I am the only "boy nurse" there, I was hired without a question asked about my gender, and I have had nothing but positive experiences. I go to all high-risk deliveries when I'm assigned, and my job is to manage the baby once born. I have never had a mom refuse to have me in there. If I wasn't, her baby would be in trouble. Sometimes the nurse needs to do what he/she thinks is in the best interest of the patient. While she definitely has no excuse for lying to you, she may have had the impression that this mom wouldn't be comfortable with someone who was a guy and not "required" to be there. It never hurts to be teachable, and to show a genuine interest by helping out. It can get you an edge when it comes to doing something you really want!

Best of luck, and keep thinking about being a "baby nurse". It's awesome!

SteveRn21

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Best of luck, and keep thinking about being a "baby nurse". It's awesome!

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I wonder if she perhaps sensed what seems to be your unprofessional attitude and was protecting her patients. Could the mother have been asked in a bad moment, or not understood who was seeking permission to observe?

I read nothing in Daveman's post to indicate he had a unprofessional attitude.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
No, the end comment was just a frustration, not serious. Anyhow, good question, and the mother was NOT made aware of any students by anyone. Ever. And she was as unhappy as I was when her husband told her the story. They were both unhappy about it, actually. Especially the fact that I was told they did not want a student when they were never asked if they did.

Daveman, obviously this place would not be a place to consider for future employment. Good luck & if you want to be a baby nurse then by all means go for it!

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I read nothing in Daveman's post to indicate he had a unprofessional attitude.

I disagree. He threatned to run over the nurse. That kind of attitude towards other's is not something one would encourage in healthcare. I feel he has indicated he over-reacts to something which most of us would have dealt with as unfair and moved on. To vent is one thing, to threaten bodily harm is another. This is why I view him as unprofessional.

P.S. I was re-reading the post above and noticed his comment and my quote of it were removed. Perhaps if you had seen what he posted you would be able to see my point of view.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
...P.S. I was re-reading the post above and noticed his comment and my quote of it were removed.

Originally Posted by Corvette Guy

I read nothing in Daveman's post to indicate he had a unprofessional attitude.

...............

Exactly! I could only go by what I read, LOL.

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Man... sounds like you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having been through both Paramedic and Nursing school, I can tell you that, for whatever reason, My clinical experience as a Paramedic student was MUCH better than when I was in nursing school. I got to see the majority of the births I was assigned to as a Paramedic student, but as a Nursing student, I got lots more refusals... The doctors were a lot nicer to me as a Paramedic student too... they took the time to explain things, showed me how to perform certain procedures, etc. As a nursing student, the nicest any of the doctors was to me was to say, "excuse me" when he bumped into me at the nursing station... for the most part they were either rude, or just ignored me... one guy looked at my student nurse badge, then up at my face and just laughed. So if you're thinking that nursing will be an easier experience, I'd think again... it's only easier if you have a hard time with all of the Paramedic skills.(I/O sticks, Chest tubes, Intubation, etc.,etc.) Of course I'm speaking from my own experience here... perhaps there are other Paramedic/Nursing school vets who can vouch for this phenomena?

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Specializes in Psych.
This is a true story. Period. I am not making any of this up. It is a sad story for the medical field in general. Not being a nurse, but loving newborn infants is a very tough situation for a male nursing student. I have 2 questions I want answered. 1) Why is it so difficult for men to be "baby nurses"? Really, it is. 2) Why as a paramedic student was I flat out lied to about deliveries? I mean, this is true, I was in OB rotation and looking forward to my first births when the charge nurse for the unit told me "this mother does not want students". OK. No problem. That is her right. The problem is this: I was in the elevator with a guy who seemed very happy to be a new father. We struck up conversation based on the fact that I was a paramedic student and in the OB portion of school. He has been a firefighter/paramedic for 22 years. His wife- the pt who requested no students- was also a paramedic for 11 years. He told me to watch his childs birth for school, etc,etc. This was the SAME couple that the nurse told me did not want students to watch. I guess I caught her in a lie? I did not see the birth based on sexual discrimination. Obvioulsly. I let him know, as well. The hospital had "no response" other than to say that staff members are often overworked and make mistakes.

I had basically the same experience during my OB clinicals, except it was our clinical instructor who decided it wasn't appropriate for the male students to be present at lady partsl deliveries.

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I had much the same experience (not every time but most of the time) while in paramedic school... and it was at Parkland! Bottom line is - there are discriminatory attitudes that constantly exist in the medical profession. Males have issues bc many women don't think they should be there - period, much less in an OB situation. As a paramedic student - you have to deal with the almost laughable amount of jealousy. Our skill set is larger than that of nurses so they get pissed. I'm already getting discriminated against in nursing school and I've only completed one semester. I'm telling you, it will never end.

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